No Boxes...What To Expect From High-Key with CMT
I’m someone who has long-resisted being boxed in — and I’m betting you are too. Politics, culture, religion, identity — if it’s shaping our world, let's get into it.
Hello, you. And welcome to my Substack — a space for “high-key energy” reporting, independent journalism and storytelling, at a time when things feel very high stakes. Those who know me well know that I’ve never been one for “low-key”…anything. From my opinions to my sartorial choices, I’ve always been far more comfortable being bold and strident. And I think attitude is more necessary today than ever.
We’re living through extraordinarily complicated times, however this isn’t the moment to disengage — as tempting as that sounds. But you don’t have to chug from the breaking news firehose to feel caught up.
Instead, consider this your twice-weekly cool glass of water, a smart dispatch from someone who’s constantly scrolling (doom and hope), digging, and trying to make sense of it all — so you don’t have to do it alone. I’ll bring you informed deep dives, engaging live podcast sessions, and musings on things that strike me/have blown up the group chat.
Expect a mix, because I don’t do boxes: One day it’s the new Pope and American Catholicism’s intersection with far-right extremism, the next it’s a very real dispatch from the motherhood trenches. Politics, culture, religion, identity — if it’s shaping our world, I’m into it.
Who Am I? And Why Trust Me?
I’m Caroline Modarressy-Tehrani, aka CMT, an Emmy-nominated, British-Iranian-American journalist, mum(mom)-of-two, who believes nuance is a strength, not a liability.
I’m someone who has long-resisted being boxed in — and I’m betting you are too. I’m as invested in global politics as I am in pop culture. My reporting lens is wide, but my focus is sharp, though often sleep-deprived (See: mum/mom of two!).
I’ve anchored, reported, and created for outlets including NBC, VICE, The Atlantic, BBC News, the Financial Times, Daily Beast, HuffPost, etc. — covering everything from U.S. politics, global elections, feminist movements, civil rights reckonings, and more. I’ve interviewed icons, covered crises, and told stories from boardrooms to refugee camps.
Join the High-Key crowd!
This space is for the multidimensional, the over-thinkers, the quietly furious, the hopeful skeptics — and anyone else trying to stay awake and aware without burning out.
Misinformation is on the rise - that’s not hyperbole - and with our growing use of AI it’s getting harder to be discerning. That’s where I hope to be a helpful guide. Some posts will tackle headlines you can’t ignore. Others will zoom in on stories you might’ve missed — or moments that deserve a second look.
Truly part of the reason of doing this is to engage with many of you who’ve followed and supported my work for years. This is your community as much as it is a space for me to get ideas on the page. So please do participate (respectfully) in the comments section. And if you can, support my work with a $5-a month subscription. Thank you!
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